What do you think?
Rate this book
The Aesir Kids
THE AESIR KIDS. They're the children of the Norse gods, with incredible strength, magical weapons and monsters for pets. They've got problems with school, bullies, family issues and attacks by giants. And when Asgard, the home of the gods, is threatened with utter destruction, it's up to the children of Thor, Sif, Loki, Freya, Balder...along with some very extraordinary friends...to save it. THE AESIR KIDS tells the story of... THRUD, the teenage daughter of Thor, who has to balance fighting trolls and giants with her after-school job waiting tables at Valhalla... FIRE, young master of flame, the son of the three mysterious Norns and perhaps the key to saving the Nine Worlds... MAGNI AND MODI, Thrud's younger brothers, whose strength is matched only by their knack for getting into trouble... ULL, the greatest skier of the gods...except for, maybe, SKADE, the four-year-old goddess of skiing... TJALFI, the human boy who can run like the wind... ROSKVA, Tjalfi's sister, who can hear something happening many miles away... FORSETI, the level-headed son of Balder, who's as good with a bow as he is with a written test... NOSS, the beloved daughter of the Goddess of Love... HELA, the sensitive little girl who hates her destiny of growing up to be the Goddess of Death... Along with other gods, godlings, light-elves, trolls, dwarfs and creatures, these young heroes must find a way to save the universe...and find the core of courage within themselves. THE AESIR KIDS is a fantasy novel based on many actual characters from Norse mythology. It's the first published collaboration between author James Grant Goldin and his ten-year-old daughter, Charlotte Goldin.
- GenresChildrens
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2013
5 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
James Grant Goldin
11 books57 followersI live by the sea with my wife and child. When not writing books, I write and direct nonfiction television; previous careers have included media training, political consulting, dramatic TV writing, and book publicity.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 29, 2015
The Aesir Kids by the father-daughter writing team of James Grant Goldin and (then) 10 year-old Charlotte Goldin contains all of the ingredients of a terrifically entertaining middle grade adventure. This delightful book features a diverse mix of characters based on Norse mythology each with their own strengths and weaknesses; a fantastical setting taking the reader from the kingdom of the mythical Asgard and across the Bifrost bridge to Midgard, the land of the humans; a great battle between the forces of good and evil; an intricate plot filled with many unexpected twists and turns; and a number of important underlying messages regarding the power of kindness, courage, and loyalty.
The Aesir Kids introduces us to the children of the major Gods and Goddesses from Norse mythology. While most of us have heard of Odin, Thor, Sif, and Loki (as well as many others), this story introduces Norse characters such as Thrud, Magni, and Modi (children of Thor and Sif); re-conceptualizes others such as Skade (who, in this book, is a young daughter of Thor and is the Goddess of Skiing); and creates new characters such as Fire (the son of the mystical Norns). The book features a large and diverse cast and both boys and girls of varying ages will be able to identify with one or more of the characters. One of the downfalls having so many characters with uncommon names, is that it does take a while to keep each one straight. While the authors do provide a list of characters (including how to pronounce the names) at the end of the book, I believe it would have been more helpful to have it at the beginning of the book instead.
The writing in The Aesir Kids is absolutely stellar. I love the opening of the book where an old man is telling a group of children stories of the Norse Gods and Goddesses in a long-hall. It is a wonderful way to introduce the characters and the setting. The book also ends in the long-hall with a wonderful surprise. The reader is already hooked by the time the old man regales the children with the first part of the story, “The Frost Giant’s Treasure”. The rest of the plot continues to unfurl as we learn more about the children of the Aesir (i.e., Norse Gods/Goddesses), as “Fire” is created by the Norns, and as Loki the trickster God hatches a devious plan to rule Asgard. As the reader gets immersed into this fantastical world, all the details provided by the authors play a role in the overall story leading to many “a-ha moments” within the final 50 pages. I love to be surprised and this book offers many delicious plot turns and twists.
On the surface, The Aesir Kids provides plenty of entertainment ranging from many humorous moments, to pre-teen angst and budding feelings of romance, to thrilling moments as the Aesir do battle against Loki and his armies of trolls, jotun, and more. As we dig deeper, the story also contains many important underlying messages about family and friendship as well as courage, loyalty, and working together to achieve a common goal. But perhaps the most poignant message which recurs numerous times is the notion of kindness as an agent of change. For example, in Norse mythology, Fenris is a large and fierce wolf (some say he is the son of Loki) who is also the enemy of the Aesir. In The Aesir Kids, Fenris is befriended and treated with kindness by the children of the Aesir and therefore remains loyal to the “good” side (despite being “planted” by Loki for evil purposes). What I appreciated even more, was when Mimir, the teacher, bottom lines the key underlying messages for the reader:
My Bottom Line:
There is so much to love about The Aesir Kids: exceptional writing, great character development, fast and furious action, and important life lessons about kindness, family, friendship, and courage. I highly recommend this fantastic book, based on Norse mythology, to children and adults 8 years and older, especially those who are fans of the Percy Jackson series.
* This book was provided to us by the author free-of-charge in exchange for our honest reviews. All opinions expressed are our own.
The Aesir Kids introduces us to the children of the major Gods and Goddesses from Norse mythology. While most of us have heard of Odin, Thor, Sif, and Loki (as well as many others), this story introduces Norse characters such as Thrud, Magni, and Modi (children of Thor and Sif); re-conceptualizes others such as Skade (who, in this book, is a young daughter of Thor and is the Goddess of Skiing); and creates new characters such as Fire (the son of the mystical Norns). The book features a large and diverse cast and both boys and girls of varying ages will be able to identify with one or more of the characters. One of the downfalls having so many characters with uncommon names, is that it does take a while to keep each one straight. While the authors do provide a list of characters (including how to pronounce the names) at the end of the book, I believe it would have been more helpful to have it at the beginning of the book instead.
The writing in The Aesir Kids is absolutely stellar. I love the opening of the book where an old man is telling a group of children stories of the Norse Gods and Goddesses in a long-hall. It is a wonderful way to introduce the characters and the setting. The book also ends in the long-hall with a wonderful surprise. The reader is already hooked by the time the old man regales the children with the first part of the story, “The Frost Giant’s Treasure”. The rest of the plot continues to unfurl as we learn more about the children of the Aesir (i.e., Norse Gods/Goddesses), as “Fire” is created by the Norns, and as Loki the trickster God hatches a devious plan to rule Asgard. As the reader gets immersed into this fantastical world, all the details provided by the authors play a role in the overall story leading to many “a-ha moments” within the final 50 pages. I love to be surprised and this book offers many delicious plot turns and twists.
On the surface, The Aesir Kids provides plenty of entertainment ranging from many humorous moments, to pre-teen angst and budding feelings of romance, to thrilling moments as the Aesir do battle against Loki and his armies of trolls, jotun, and more. As we dig deeper, the story also contains many important underlying messages about family and friendship as well as courage, loyalty, and working together to achieve a common goal. But perhaps the most poignant message which recurs numerous times is the notion of kindness as an agent of change. For example, in Norse mythology, Fenris is a large and fierce wolf (some say he is the son of Loki) who is also the enemy of the Aesir. In The Aesir Kids, Fenris is befriended and treated with kindness by the children of the Aesir and therefore remains loyal to the “good” side (despite being “planted” by Loki for evil purposes). What I appreciated even more, was when Mimir, the teacher, bottom lines the key underlying messages for the reader:
“A good teacher learns from his or her students. I have learned lessons from all of you about kindness … and working together … and courage.”
My Bottom Line:
There is so much to love about The Aesir Kids: exceptional writing, great character development, fast and furious action, and important life lessons about kindness, family, friendship, and courage. I highly recommend this fantastic book, based on Norse mythology, to children and adults 8 years and older, especially those who are fans of the Percy Jackson series.
* This book was provided to us by the author free-of-charge in exchange for our honest reviews. All opinions expressed are our own.
February 10, 2018
Well there's nothing to dislike after two chapters, except maybe it's a bit safe and the chapter drawings could be better -- the cover is amazing.
I like how the adult gods speak Shakespearean English, even if Marvel half-kiddingly is trying to ease away from that. The best voices for the Northern gods is a subject I've spent many years on, as an author and producer. Chaucerian English or even German would be the most authentic, but that wouldn't work, without saying. Then we get the jarring hipness of John Gardner's "Grendel" -- or the interchangeable imitations of that in Maia Jacomus' "Loki: Why I Began the End" and Joanne Harris' "The Gospel of Loki" which are full of anachronistic 1st person contractions and jammed aux verbs in the subjunctive mood such as "If you've heard of me, you've heard I'm wicked." Good grief: or as Jacomus might scrawl, "Yggdrasil forbid" -- wait, was that a rimshot? Then even that looks kinda good in comparison to the bland prose of Mike Vasich's "Loki: Nine Naughty Tales." Seriously, the modern world has been enjoying enough access to the history of language to give us more than the 2nd century Roman sludge-Latin of Plautus, in which Mercury doesn't know his adverbs from his a@#hole. Here's the equivalent of Cliff Notes for those wanting to infuse their writing with some proper historical style (shameless plug): Grammar Maps 3 of 3, Tense Towers Other reviews where I discuss Proto Indo European syntax is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and soon here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Now to conclude with the plot elements, Tolkien prescribed 4 points: Deep encounter with history, wide communication with nature, dire peril, and redemption. Linguist Tolkien would say the first two are largely covered by language, and as noted, I'll give a near-perfect 4.5 there. Then for dire peril, the myths are recounted almost literally, so a solid 5 there. That just leaves redemption. Now right away spiritual and career redemption are set aside: Ragnarok will likely never happen, and the kids have inherited their "jobs." So to transcend the cartoon-like setup, one or more characters is going to have to really hit it out of the park with a mental epiphany or emotional catharsis, such as saving an endangered species towards world peace, like the incredible "How to Train Your Dragon." Even the first "Thor" film, Hollywood-stagey as it is, has the vocational challenge of learning to control one's temper, the spiritual risk of losing one's father and future wife, the catharsis of in truth losing a brother, and the mental epiphany of possible love between alien races ("Ender's Game" scored big there especially). Barring any of that, the story will really need some strong humor. Otherwise I'm sensing a 2 here, equaling 16, divided by 4 equals a solid 4.
Wow, upon further reading, the first giant encounter, involving Grimnir, ends with exactly the spiritual nod and mental epiphany nowhere found in the original tale. So I'm gonna go 4.4 rounded to 4. I'm only barring a 5 as by ch. 6 the kids haven't displayed enough personality as they easily could have, maybe only one time displaying raucous laughter but otherwise being too tame and flat. But I trust by the sequel, "The 18th Rune" the author duo will have this more down pat.
I like how the adult gods speak Shakespearean English, even if Marvel half-kiddingly is trying to ease away from that. The best voices for the Northern gods is a subject I've spent many years on, as an author and producer. Chaucerian English or even German would be the most authentic, but that wouldn't work, without saying. Then we get the jarring hipness of John Gardner's "Grendel" -- or the interchangeable imitations of that in Maia Jacomus' "Loki: Why I Began the End" and Joanne Harris' "The Gospel of Loki" which are full of anachronistic 1st person contractions and jammed aux verbs in the subjunctive mood such as "If you've heard of me, you've heard I'm wicked." Good grief: or as Jacomus might scrawl, "Yggdrasil forbid" -- wait, was that a rimshot? Then even that looks kinda good in comparison to the bland prose of Mike Vasich's "Loki: Nine Naughty Tales." Seriously, the modern world has been enjoying enough access to the history of language to give us more than the 2nd century Roman sludge-Latin of Plautus, in which Mercury doesn't know his adverbs from his a@#hole. Here's the equivalent of Cliff Notes for those wanting to infuse their writing with some proper historical style (shameless plug): Grammar Maps 3 of 3, Tense Towers Other reviews where I discuss Proto Indo European syntax is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and soon here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Now to conclude with the plot elements, Tolkien prescribed 4 points: Deep encounter with history, wide communication with nature, dire peril, and redemption. Linguist Tolkien would say the first two are largely covered by language, and as noted, I'll give a near-perfect 4.5 there. Then for dire peril, the myths are recounted almost literally, so a solid 5 there. That just leaves redemption. Now right away spiritual and career redemption are set aside: Ragnarok will likely never happen, and the kids have inherited their "jobs." So to transcend the cartoon-like setup, one or more characters is going to have to really hit it out of the park with a mental epiphany or emotional catharsis, such as saving an endangered species towards world peace, like the incredible "How to Train Your Dragon." Even the first "Thor" film, Hollywood-stagey as it is, has the vocational challenge of learning to control one's temper, the spiritual risk of losing one's father and future wife, the catharsis of in truth losing a brother, and the mental epiphany of possible love between alien races ("Ender's Game" scored big there especially). Barring any of that, the story will really need some strong humor. Otherwise I'm sensing a 2 here, equaling 16, divided by 4 equals a solid 4.
Wow, upon further reading, the first giant encounter, involving Grimnir, ends with exactly the spiritual nod and mental epiphany nowhere found in the original tale. So I'm gonna go 4.4 rounded to 4. I'm only barring a 5 as by ch. 6 the kids haven't displayed enough personality as they easily could have, maybe only one time displaying raucous laughter but otherwise being too tame and flat. But I trust by the sequel, "The 18th Rune" the author duo will have this more down pat.
February 25, 2018
I read this on the heels of Neil Gaiman's wonderful Norse Mythology, which helped ground me in the mythos of the Norse gods with a bit more depth than Thor: Ragnarok (as delightful as it is) was capable of doing. I've always been partial to the Norse legends but almost always on a surface level; I know enough to be dangerous. So by seating myself in the core of the legends with Gaiman, I then launched into Goldin's book about the children of the gods.
And what a wonder it is. The children all have their own personalities (save perhaps for Magni and Modi who are quite alike in their Thor-ness). But it was an absolute delight to follow along in these escapades, to watch Loki spin his mischief and set these young Aesir off toward what he hoped would be tragedy, only to find these children are quite capable... not only of defeating giants and trolls with godlike strength, but with genuine kindness and love as well.
There is so much heart here and so much care given these young characters that I can feel them come alive under Goldin's adept hand (with the assistance of his daughter Charlotte, apparently). What perhaps defines this story the best is that Goldin's writing feels authentically Norse, or as much so as Gaiman's. In fact, Goldin is a perfect complement to Gaiman and I highly recommend The Aesir Kids as a companion for anyone looking to dive into the mythos in greater detail.
If I had one word to describe my experience with The Aesir Kids, it would be... "Axe-cellent."
If I had two, I'd add, "Hammerific."
And what a wonder it is. The children all have their own personalities (save perhaps for Magni and Modi who are quite alike in their Thor-ness). But it was an absolute delight to follow along in these escapades, to watch Loki spin his mischief and set these young Aesir off toward what he hoped would be tragedy, only to find these children are quite capable... not only of defeating giants and trolls with godlike strength, but with genuine kindness and love as well.
There is so much heart here and so much care given these young characters that I can feel them come alive under Goldin's adept hand (with the assistance of his daughter Charlotte, apparently). What perhaps defines this story the best is that Goldin's writing feels authentically Norse, or as much so as Gaiman's. In fact, Goldin is a perfect complement to Gaiman and I highly recommend The Aesir Kids as a companion for anyone looking to dive into the mythos in greater detail.
If I had one word to describe my experience with The Aesir Kids, it would be... "Axe-cellent."
If I had two, I'd add, "Hammerific."
March 1, 2015
I'm a mythology lover, but know little about Norse mythology, so I looked forward to reading this book. The adventures of the Aesir kids continued non-stop. I liked the story of the Frost Giants and the lesson it taught. Similar lessons could be found throughout. It's encouraging to see a young writer venture out into the publishing world. Charlotte has a beautiful imagination, and I hope she continues to write. This book would appeal to good readers as early as 4th grade and could be enjoyed even by 7th & 8th graders. For those outside of the US, the age groups would be 10+.
While I enjoyed the stories, as I mentioned earlier, my Norse knowledge is limited. It would have been a benefit to have the information on the characters and gods at the beginning instead of the end. The number of stories also became overwhelming at times. I would have liked to have a few shorter books to read than one long one. I think that would benefit struggling readers also.
My one negative comment is that several times throughout the book, I was jarred out of the story by awkward sentence structure. Being a high school English teacher, I try real hard not to wear that hat when I review books, but I seem to always fail.
I read a complimentary copy from the authors.
While I enjoyed the stories, as I mentioned earlier, my Norse knowledge is limited. It would have been a benefit to have the information on the characters and gods at the beginning instead of the end. The number of stories also became overwhelming at times. I would have liked to have a few shorter books to read than one long one. I think that would benefit struggling readers also.
My one negative comment is that several times throughout the book, I was jarred out of the story by awkward sentence structure. Being a high school English teacher, I try real hard not to wear that hat when I review books, but I seem to always fail.
I read a complimentary copy from the authors.
March 11, 2015
I'm a sucker for books that deal with mythology, especially Norse myths because I don't see them around too much. So when I came across The Aesir Kids, I couldn't resist. And I'm so glad I didn't. This book is absolutely fantastic.
The Aesir Kids is a flawless blend of action, adventure, storytelling, and education all in one book. This book smartly introduces a wonderful list of characters from Norse mythology, including Thor's children. Each character has their own unique story to tell- and what stories they are! From giants to lightning fast horses to the sons of Loki, these tales are full of life and adventure. It's very easy to lose yourself in the story because the worlds of Asgard and Midgard (among others!) are so beautifully described.
The writing itself is well done, very detailed and descriptive without being too much. I also admire how this book is written for a younger audience but still manages not only capture the imagination of adults as well, but still manages to teach without the dreaded "info dumping". I know it's going to sound weird but this book made learning fun. All of the pantheon and characters are broken down and explained so I was rarely confused, and yesterday I was telling my girlfriend about this book and she looked at me, impressed, because I was rattling off Norse gods and myths when that is not a skill that I usually offer.
I really enjoyed the way that this book is presented. That is, the way that it features several different characters and their stories, as opposed to one. These different stories or blended seamlessly into one rich story line, making it a bunch of little adventures wrapped in one epic story. These varied tales helped me get to know the characters better, and helped me to get a better understanding of the book as a whole.
If you or your child love the movies "Thor" or "The Avengers" or the Percy Jackson books- this is the book for you. It's a fast paced, well written adventure from start to finish and I absolutely loved it. I'll definitely be recommending it in the future, and I'll be rereading it too. I'd recommend it to kids from about 5th grade onward to adulthood, and would also suggest reading it aloud- I think it would lend itself well as a bedtime story!
Thanks to Mother Daughter Book Reviews & the authors for my copy in exchange for my honest review. This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
The Aesir Kids is a flawless blend of action, adventure, storytelling, and education all in one book. This book smartly introduces a wonderful list of characters from Norse mythology, including Thor's children. Each character has their own unique story to tell- and what stories they are! From giants to lightning fast horses to the sons of Loki, these tales are full of life and adventure. It's very easy to lose yourself in the story because the worlds of Asgard and Midgard (among others!) are so beautifully described.
The writing itself is well done, very detailed and descriptive without being too much. I also admire how this book is written for a younger audience but still manages not only capture the imagination of adults as well, but still manages to teach without the dreaded "info dumping". I know it's going to sound weird but this book made learning fun. All of the pantheon and characters are broken down and explained so I was rarely confused, and yesterday I was telling my girlfriend about this book and she looked at me, impressed, because I was rattling off Norse gods and myths when that is not a skill that I usually offer.
I really enjoyed the way that this book is presented. That is, the way that it features several different characters and their stories, as opposed to one. These different stories or blended seamlessly into one rich story line, making it a bunch of little adventures wrapped in one epic story. These varied tales helped me get to know the characters better, and helped me to get a better understanding of the book as a whole.
If you or your child love the movies "Thor" or "The Avengers" or the Percy Jackson books- this is the book for you. It's a fast paced, well written adventure from start to finish and I absolutely loved it. I'll definitely be recommending it in the future, and I'll be rereading it too. I'd recommend it to kids from about 5th grade onward to adulthood, and would also suggest reading it aloud- I think it would lend itself well as a bedtime story!
Thanks to Mother Daughter Book Reviews & the authors for my copy in exchange for my honest review. This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
February 25, 2015
Wow, loved this action packed little read. Then again I love Norse tales and kids stories, so what’s not to love with this? I’m now filled with the urge to hunt down and read many many Norse tales.
Parents read this to your kids, kids read this to your pets!
I hope there’s more to come from the Aesir Kids.
Suitable for ages seven +
I award this 5 cups of tea!
Parents read this to your kids, kids read this to your pets!
I hope there’s more to come from the Aesir Kids.
Suitable for ages seven +
I award this 5 cups of tea!
May 6, 2014
What a fun read. I'd recommend it to any tween or adult.
April 2, 2018
The Aesir Kids is a delightful book suitable for middle grade and up. It cleverly uses Norse Mythology as the inspiration for its characters and plot, but with a modern twist--for example, young Thrud, daughter of Thor, wants desperately to be a Valkyrie, but grandfather Odin simply won't listen. Freya intervenes and gets her a job waiting tables after school in Valhalla, where she proves herself both resourceful and innovative. Then there's young Hel, goddess of death, who shows up at school one day. She's shy and has clearly been neglected at home by her trickster father, Loki, and though, yes, she's a bit creepy, the other kids try to make her feel welcome. She sure seems to know a lot more about Ragnarok, the fabled end of the world, than any of the rest of them, though--alarmingly so. What else are the adults keeping from them all?
Aesir Kids reminded me a bit of the Percy Jackson series, which both my sons loved growing up. Being a mythology fan (and similarly using it as the inspiration for my own novels), I loved the father/daughter Goldin team's take on the lesser-known Norse stories and gods/goddesses.
Bravo for a job well-done.
Aesir Kids reminded me a bit of the Percy Jackson series, which both my sons loved growing up. Being a mythology fan (and similarly using it as the inspiration for my own novels), I loved the father/daughter Goldin team's take on the lesser-known Norse stories and gods/goddesses.
Bravo for a job well-done.
February 24, 2015
Book Review by: Brittany Perez (Oh My Bookness)
@ohmybookness
Bperezbookreviews@gmail.com
February 24,2015
"This is a coin of Asgard", the old man said in a clear, strong voice, that carried up to the shadowy rafters. "Asgard, the home of the Aesir-The home of the gods. On this side is Odin, the All - Father, in his right hand he holds his spear, Gungnir; on his shoulder are his Ravens. Hugin and Munin who bring him news from here on Midgard, the Earth-"( Book Excerpt from Aesir Kids)
Co-writing a book is not uncommon, but with your 10 year young daughter, I the we can all it is different to say the least. But it works. James Grant Goldin and Charlotte Goldin are a father and daughter writing duo that established a wonderful middle school adventure, fantasy, with Norse mythology (I personally always found fascinating), that is great for both boys and girls. As it should be. A story that can be loved by all.
This book brings something for everyone, all audiences, for our history and mythology lovers, to the comic or graphic reading crowd, to the average and everyday fantasy fiction readers with a twist on the Nordic Mythology.
In the Aesir Kids, it is a fun story that any fan of Percy Jackson will fall in love with. It may hold one thing very similar that incorporates mythology into its characters but beyond that we have something different. Beyond the infusion of the Norse Gods and the having children, the authors add a whole wheel house of new characters to create diversity within these gods and Demi-gods.
I personally got hooked when I read that Norse Mythology was a key factor, actually I was super excited! I had to read it no matter what. When it comes to mythology you can guarantee I have read stories and stories crossed with fiction, Loir, even comics such as Thor being one of them and Wonder Woman being Amazonian.
For those who are interested but are unsure, the Aesir Kids is a great book for anyone who is a fan of fantasy, mythology,adventure, the mix of mythology is just a added bonus. The father and daughter duo created a cohesive, fluid, fun, adventurous tale. It's also a great way to introduce the young to the noir and Greek Gods. They can learn where they stand in their story, the Loir like Loki and Thor.
This is a book I would read again soon when I finish other priorities. I rarely read a book a second time so close apart from finishing it once. The last time I remember re-reading a book back to back was Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. For me that is saying a lot, this book is packed and filled with adventure, mythology, and a fun and exciting read. One I recommended to any graphic novel enthusiast, adventure and fantasy lovers to the action packed mystery lovers. This book reaches a wide span of genres to people.
@ohmybookness
Bperezbookreviews@gmail.com
February 24,2015
"This is a coin of Asgard", the old man said in a clear, strong voice, that carried up to the shadowy rafters. "Asgard, the home of the Aesir-The home of the gods. On this side is Odin, the All - Father, in his right hand he holds his spear, Gungnir; on his shoulder are his Ravens. Hugin and Munin who bring him news from here on Midgard, the Earth-"( Book Excerpt from Aesir Kids)
Co-writing a book is not uncommon, but with your 10 year young daughter, I the we can all it is different to say the least. But it works. James Grant Goldin and Charlotte Goldin are a father and daughter writing duo that established a wonderful middle school adventure, fantasy, with Norse mythology (I personally always found fascinating), that is great for both boys and girls. As it should be. A story that can be loved by all.
This book brings something for everyone, all audiences, for our history and mythology lovers, to the comic or graphic reading crowd, to the average and everyday fantasy fiction readers with a twist on the Nordic Mythology.
In the Aesir Kids, it is a fun story that any fan of Percy Jackson will fall in love with. It may hold one thing very similar that incorporates mythology into its characters but beyond that we have something different. Beyond the infusion of the Norse Gods and the having children, the authors add a whole wheel house of new characters to create diversity within these gods and Demi-gods.
I personally got hooked when I read that Norse Mythology was a key factor, actually I was super excited! I had to read it no matter what. When it comes to mythology you can guarantee I have read stories and stories crossed with fiction, Loir, even comics such as Thor being one of them and Wonder Woman being Amazonian.
For those who are interested but are unsure, the Aesir Kids is a great book for anyone who is a fan of fantasy, mythology,adventure, the mix of mythology is just a added bonus. The father and daughter duo created a cohesive, fluid, fun, adventurous tale. It's also a great way to introduce the young to the noir and Greek Gods. They can learn where they stand in their story, the Loir like Loki and Thor.
This is a book I would read again soon when I finish other priorities. I rarely read a book a second time so close apart from finishing it once. The last time I remember re-reading a book back to back was Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. For me that is saying a lot, this book is packed and filled with adventure, mythology, and a fun and exciting read. One I recommended to any graphic novel enthusiast, adventure and fantasy lovers to the action packed mystery lovers. This book reaches a wide span of genres to people.
February 19, 2015
Packed with Norse mythology and adventure, THE AESIR KIDS is a book Rick Riordan and all mythology fans won't want to miss. Although all the favorites (Loki, Thor and Odin) are mentioned or present, this story goes into the next generation. With it's diverse age range of characters, readers of several ages will feel drawn into this exciting world, especially since the powerful kids of Asgard aren't really all that different than normal ones here on Earth.
Starting with a gentle, tale-telling Grandpa, the reader is already hooked by the time the adventures begin. And with a first chapter title The Frost Giant's Treasure, interested is guaranteed. I especially enjoyed the opening scenes. Although it's clear that these kids originate from powerful 'gods' (throwing around a huge boulder in a game of toss isn't easy), their sibling banter is so familiar, it's hard not to feel right at home.
The writing is great for the intended age group, never bogging down with too much description and keeping a realistic dialogue with just enough of the surroundings to allow the fantasy free run. The characters are distinct and packed full of personality. It was fun to bounce between their daily lives (which are similar to our own) and the exciting adventures, which kept me on the edge of my seat. The only thing which bothered me was the number of characters. Although all are fun and have their place, it was difficult to remember who was who until I was fairly far into the book. There is a list in the back, but honestly, the back is the last place I look for things when I want to dive into a book and start on page 1. It would have been nice to see this in the beginning. Also, I found the first pages a little difficult for 'unknowers' of the Norse mythology. One or two sentence background descriptions of what Asgard is or the Bifrost bridge or even Odin/Thor would have easily broaden the audience.
Although there's a ton of action in this story, there are also several messages buried in the pages. My personal favorite was that battles are not always won by strength and war, but friendship, kindness and loyalty also play a huge role in the scheme of things.
In other words, I give this a huge two thumbs up!
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Starting with a gentle, tale-telling Grandpa, the reader is already hooked by the time the adventures begin. And with a first chapter title The Frost Giant's Treasure, interested is guaranteed. I especially enjoyed the opening scenes. Although it's clear that these kids originate from powerful 'gods' (throwing around a huge boulder in a game of toss isn't easy), their sibling banter is so familiar, it's hard not to feel right at home.
The writing is great for the intended age group, never bogging down with too much description and keeping a realistic dialogue with just enough of the surroundings to allow the fantasy free run. The characters are distinct and packed full of personality. It was fun to bounce between their daily lives (which are similar to our own) and the exciting adventures, which kept me on the edge of my seat. The only thing which bothered me was the number of characters. Although all are fun and have their place, it was difficult to remember who was who until I was fairly far into the book. There is a list in the back, but honestly, the back is the last place I look for things when I want to dive into a book and start on page 1. It would have been nice to see this in the beginning. Also, I found the first pages a little difficult for 'unknowers' of the Norse mythology. One or two sentence background descriptions of what Asgard is or the Bifrost bridge or even Odin/Thor would have easily broaden the audience.
Although there's a ton of action in this story, there are also several messages buried in the pages. My personal favorite was that battles are not always won by strength and war, but friendship, kindness and loyalty also play a huge role in the scheme of things.
In other words, I give this a huge two thumbs up!
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2015
The Aesir Kids by is a middle grade novel co-authored by James Grant Goldin and his daughter Charlotte Goldin. The story takes some recognizable and well known bits of Norse mythology and expands on the stories to create something new and exciting. this books follows the adventures of children of the Norse gods. they have incredible strength, magical weapons, and monsters for pets. They also have problems with school, bullies, family issues, and attacks by giants. When Asgard, the home of the gods, is threatened with utter destruction it is up to the children of Thor, Sif, Loki, Freya, Balder; and some very special friends, to save it.
The Aesir Kids features some high adventure and multifaceted characters that will create interest and excitement. Thrud (the teenage daughter of Thor) has to balance fighting trolls and giants with her after-school job waiting tables at Valhalla. Fire (son of the three mysterious Norns) is out in the world for the first time and has to learn a lot more than school can teach him. Magni and Modi (Thrud's younger brothers) whose strength is matched only by their impulsiveness. Ull is the greatest skier of the gods, that is except for maybe Skade, the four-year-old goddess of skiing. Together with Tjalfi, his sister Roskva, Forsetti, Noss, and Hela (who each have gifts of their own) this special group of godlings need to save thier home, and all the none worlds. It is only by mastering their gifts and trusting in each other that they can defeat Loki and save the universe. This is a fantasy novel based on many actual characters from Norse mythology, and it feels a little like reading some of my favorite classic tales. It's the first published collaboration between author James Grant Goldin and his ten-year-old daughter, Charlotte Goldin.
I greatly enjoyed The Aesir Kids. I have always loved reading ancient Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology, and this story felt very true to the tradition. the characters all had their virtues and their faults, and in the end there is an idea of right and wrong that is vindicated. the fact that the author and his daughter worked together to create this story made it even better for me. I am eager to see what this team can do next.
The Aesir Kids features some high adventure and multifaceted characters that will create interest and excitement. Thrud (the teenage daughter of Thor) has to balance fighting trolls and giants with her after-school job waiting tables at Valhalla. Fire (son of the three mysterious Norns) is out in the world for the first time and has to learn a lot more than school can teach him. Magni and Modi (Thrud's younger brothers) whose strength is matched only by their impulsiveness. Ull is the greatest skier of the gods, that is except for maybe Skade, the four-year-old goddess of skiing. Together with Tjalfi, his sister Roskva, Forsetti, Noss, and Hela (who each have gifts of their own) this special group of godlings need to save thier home, and all the none worlds. It is only by mastering their gifts and trusting in each other that they can defeat Loki and save the universe. This is a fantasy novel based on many actual characters from Norse mythology, and it feels a little like reading some of my favorite classic tales. It's the first published collaboration between author James Grant Goldin and his ten-year-old daughter, Charlotte Goldin.
I greatly enjoyed The Aesir Kids. I have always loved reading ancient Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology, and this story felt very true to the tradition. the characters all had their virtues and their faults, and in the end there is an idea of right and wrong that is vindicated. the fact that the author and his daughter worked together to create this story made it even better for me. I am eager to see what this team can do next.
May 28, 2014
In Norse mythology , the Aesir are the male gods . They live in Asgard, together with the female goddesses called Asynjur.
Odin’s grandchildren, twins Modi and Magni are off on a great adventure. They are going to find the cave in which the treasure of Grymnir is hidden. The frost giants are their first obstacle. For the reader, the first chapters of the book introduce the many characters and places and due to the fact that most are names from Norse mythology, the reader may find them confusing at first. The plot however draws the reader from the start of Chapter two and doesn’t let go.
Older sister Thrud, longs to join the Valkyries that ride the skies. Baby sister Skade, has aspirations as a goddess of skiing. There are human children as well, Tjalfi and Roskva, with superpowers of their own. What aspirations does Loki, the son of a frost giant from Jotunheim have? A beguiling cast of characters, too many to mention will fascinate readers as they struggle to save their homeland.
The descriptions are vivid and easy to imagine. The characters are colourful and believable and the book will both educate and entertain young readers. The glossary in the back, of ‘Names to Know’ is a definite asset.
The Aesir Kids is a fantasy by TV Writer James Grant Goldin and his ten-year-old daughter, Charlotte Goldin. James Grant Goldin lives in California. He has written over 100 hours of television and is the author of the swashbuckling novel "The Legendary Adventures of the Pirate Queens."
Harry Potter, or Lord of the Rings with a Norse twist, highly recommended.
Reviewer: Shirley A. Roe, Allbooks Review International www.allbooksreviewint.com
Odin’s grandchildren, twins Modi and Magni are off on a great adventure. They are going to find the cave in which the treasure of Grymnir is hidden. The frost giants are their first obstacle. For the reader, the first chapters of the book introduce the many characters and places and due to the fact that most are names from Norse mythology, the reader may find them confusing at first. The plot however draws the reader from the start of Chapter two and doesn’t let go.
Older sister Thrud, longs to join the Valkyries that ride the skies. Baby sister Skade, has aspirations as a goddess of skiing. There are human children as well, Tjalfi and Roskva, with superpowers of their own. What aspirations does Loki, the son of a frost giant from Jotunheim have? A beguiling cast of characters, too many to mention will fascinate readers as they struggle to save their homeland.
The descriptions are vivid and easy to imagine. The characters are colourful and believable and the book will both educate and entertain young readers. The glossary in the back, of ‘Names to Know’ is a definite asset.
The Aesir Kids is a fantasy by TV Writer James Grant Goldin and his ten-year-old daughter, Charlotte Goldin. James Grant Goldin lives in California. He has written over 100 hours of television and is the author of the swashbuckling novel "The Legendary Adventures of the Pirate Queens."
Harry Potter, or Lord of the Rings with a Norse twist, highly recommended.
Reviewer: Shirley A. Roe, Allbooks Review International www.allbooksreviewint.com
March 11, 2015
This very excitingly captivating story will surely entertain both gender of children equally. It is a lengthy chapter book, yet never boring. A few more of the characters are introduced as the tales goes forth. It was never confusing. The adventures began from the very first page and continued on the the very last page. This is a great book that parents and children can enjoy together. Filled with several good morals, there are a lot of similarities to the interactions as in real life. This is a very thought-out, creative Fantasy.
The development of the characters were imaginatively created and felt realistic. Frequently changing scenes, were portrayed well. The writing was excellent, and the reader's attention never waned. The Book Cover and Title "fit" and were eye-catching. There are villains, yet the authors present them in an interesting way. The book encourages unity, being aware of and developing various talents and attributes, and enjoying the things around us.. The tale contained a large variety of imaginary and real characters. I feel the recommendation for age would be closer to ages10 to 14 years old. It has many pages and I feel the average 8 to 9 year-old would tend to get restless and lose interest.
My review of this Novel offers a Five Stars rating.
*I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review, of which I have given.
The development of the characters were imaginatively created and felt realistic. Frequently changing scenes, were portrayed well. The writing was excellent, and the reader's attention never waned. The Book Cover and Title "fit" and were eye-catching. There are villains, yet the authors present them in an interesting way. The book encourages unity, being aware of and developing various talents and attributes, and enjoying the things around us.. The tale contained a large variety of imaginary and real characters. I feel the recommendation for age would be closer to ages10 to 14 years old. It has many pages and I feel the average 8 to 9 year-old would tend to get restless and lose interest.
My review of this Novel offers a Five Stars rating.
*I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review, of which I have given.
June 26, 2014
Reviewed by A Simple Taste for Reading:
http://simpletasteforreading.wordpres...
Co-authored with his daughter, James and Charlotte Goldin have create a fantasy-adventure about the children of the Norse gods. These children are obviously not your normal every day kid, they have incredible strengths, wield magical weapons and even have monsters as pets! The Goldin’s take us to a land where ancient Gods rule but seem like ‘slightly’ normal adults and kids you know problems with school, bullies, family issues and attacks by giants, normal things. That is until their land is threatened and it’s up to the children of Thor, Sif, Loki, Freya, Balder to save it! This was a really fun read. The book was written for readers 8-12 years old, but I’m 25 and thoroughly enjoyed the adventure! Along with his 10 year old daughter, James writes a great tale that you won’t soon forget, I look forward to reading more from this author duo!
http://simpletasteforreading.wordpres...
Co-authored with his daughter, James and Charlotte Goldin have create a fantasy-adventure about the children of the Norse gods. These children are obviously not your normal every day kid, they have incredible strengths, wield magical weapons and even have monsters as pets! The Goldin’s take us to a land where ancient Gods rule but seem like ‘slightly’ normal adults and kids you know problems with school, bullies, family issues and attacks by giants, normal things. That is until their land is threatened and it’s up to the children of Thor, Sif, Loki, Freya, Balder to save it! This was a really fun read. The book was written for readers 8-12 years old, but I’m 25 and thoroughly enjoyed the adventure! Along with his 10 year old daughter, James writes a great tale that you won’t soon forget, I look forward to reading more from this author duo!
March 12, 2015
Norse mythology is not a subject I am familiar with, so I wasn't sure what to expect from the book before I had a chance to read it. But as soon as I get started, I knew it would be a worthy and exciting read. The story is very well written, action-packed, and fast-paced. While all the exotic names and complex relationships can get confusing easily, the writer does a wonderful job in keeping the reader on track. The book may be written for kids, but I as an adult also find it fascinating and educational. I have learned quite a bit about the characters and their unique experiences. It also demonstrates the importance of family, friendship, teamwork, and kindness. I highly recommend this book to anyone who entertains an amazing adventure enhanced with humor and surprising twists and turns.
*I received a free digital copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. All views and opinions expressed are my own.*
*I received a free digital copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. All views and opinions expressed are my own.*
February 8, 2015
This is a great book based on Norse mythology. You will find some of the major gods and goddesses of Norse mythology along with lesser gods and children of the gods.Another main character is Fire, a creation of the three sisters. The story line focuses on the children of Aesir (children of the gods),Fire, and a few human children. Each of the children had special gifts. They used these gifts to save Odin, the All-Father of Asgard and to regain possession of their land. These children showed that working together they could change prophecies and accomplish major feats. This book is crying for Book Two of the Aesir Kids. I would recommend it to preteens and up. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
March 10, 2015
What a fun read! Full of adventure, some mystery, a few bad guys, awesome challenges and quests - a great story for middle-graders and older. (The first adventure was full of kids’ hijinks and made it seem like it would be episodic, but the rest of the book tied together and kept this adult reader hooked.) The Norse gods and goddesses, the frost giants, the Norn, the Valkyries have all come to life for me, now that I have a story and actions to connect them with instead of just a name and description. I also loved that the girls weren’t placid, waiting-to-be-rescued characters.
The story flowed well, the characters were well drawn, and the storyline was original but still plausible. All in all, a good book. Recommended.
The story flowed well, the characters were well drawn, and the storyline was original but still plausible. All in all, a good book. Recommended.
March 11, 2015
DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy of this ebook for purposes of review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.
My Thoughts:
I have always had an interest in Norse mythology, from the time I was small. The fantastical stories and larger than life characters have long fascinated me. It was a treat to read “The Aesir Kids.” I enjoyed every minute while reading this book to my daughter, who liked it and is now reading more about Norse Mythology herself. We are both avid readers who love to discover new and interesting books to read. I was especially impressed that a young girl helped to author the book, it was a great message to my own daughter that she can do anything she sets her mind to! Great job, Ms. Goldin!!
My Thoughts:
I have always had an interest in Norse mythology, from the time I was small. The fantastical stories and larger than life characters have long fascinated me. It was a treat to read “The Aesir Kids.” I enjoyed every minute while reading this book to my daughter, who liked it and is now reading more about Norse Mythology herself. We are both avid readers who love to discover new and interesting books to read. I was especially impressed that a young girl helped to author the book, it was a great message to my own daughter that she can do anything she sets her mind to! Great job, Ms. Goldin!!
March 10, 2015
I loved this book. Excerpt from book: That thought was to solve the riddle and find the mysterious treasure of Grymmer. It would be a great victory for Asgard, and it would show the older Aesir that Magni and Modi weren't just children, but your godlings who had to be taken seriously. Magni and Modi take up this secret quest and go on a adventure of danger and mystery. Fun characters. Surprise ending.
March 12, 2015
My son enjoyed this book so much. It was something new for the both of us. Most of the books about mythology we have read or come across are mostly about Greek mythology, so it was great to see a book center around Norse mythology. It has a captivating story line that you won’t want to put the book down. The action is non-stop and it brings something for everyone. Readers 10yrs and older will enjoy this book.
March 6, 2015
This is a superb read for any middle school aged student. The story has a lot of mythology particularly about Thor/Thor's children as well as Odin. Lots of adventure to get any child on the edge of their seat. This story has some very truly memorable and different characters that will most definitely hold a child interest. Lots going on, battles, trickery, and bravery. A must read!
March 6, 2015
I LOVED this book. I don't know much about Norse mythology but The Aesir Kids got me very interested. Great for fans of Percy Jackson, The Kane Chronicles, Thor and The Avengers.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews